I have visited Napa Valley on a regular basis over the years and it never occurred to me to stay in Downtown Napa. I’m not sure why, but I have always opted for Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. Over the past few years I have read several articles about the revitalization of the downtown area and decided to give it a try. I’m really happy I did!

Only 1 hour north of San Francisco, Napa is the largest of Napa Valley’s five towns and offers a wide variety of things to do. You can take a quiet walk along the riverfront, eat in gourmet restaurants, indulge in a private wine tasting, sample boutique olive oils and buy picnic supplies at Oxbow Public Market – all without setting foot in your car.

The Stay

Located in a century old historic mill, and close to both specialty shops and restaurants, The Napa River Inn @historicnapamil is perfectly located in revitalized Downtown Napa’s Riverfront District. There are restaurants at your doorstep, including Iron Chef Morimoto’s restaurant Morimoto Napa. You are also within walking distance to the Oxbow Public Market, my favorite place in downtown.

Our spacious river front Plaza Deluxe Room had a balcony overlooking the river, a fireplace and a king bed. All rooms at the hotel enjoy free WiFi. Guests are treated to in-room breakfast of pastries, coffee (or juice) and a breakfast sandwich or fruit. You can also purchase additions to your breakfast. The Plaza building is light and bright with updated rooms. We had a great stay and would definitely choose this hotel again.

The Eats

@MorimotoNapa was a perfect choice for our first dinner in Downtown Napa. Just a 2 minute walk from the Napa River Inn, Morimoto Napa was everything you would expect from an Iron Chef owned restaurant and more. The atmosphere was beautiful, the cocktails inventive and the food sublime.

If you’re looking for a delicious artisanal cheese and charcuterie platter with a glass of wine, or perhaps a roasted wild mushroom flatbread, then stop by Carpe Diem Wine Bar on 2nd Street. Rated as 1 of the 10 best restaurants for dinner in Napa Valley by USA Today it is another great choice for dinner in downtown.

Located at 610+644 First Street, Oxbow Public Market was my favorite place to go in downtown Napa. With more than 20 merchants in the Oxbow building, you have your choice of coffee @ritualcoffee – ice cream @threetwine – cheese and wine @oxbowcheesewine and olive oil @TheOlivePress1 – all in one location. I ended up there everyday.

Wine Tasting

With limited time we decided to do our wine tasting all in one location – Vintner’s Collective Napa Valley.  With many vintners represented at this tasting room we chose the 6-flight wine tasting for $40/person – no appointment necessary. They also offer a private tasting which includes artisanal cheese and charcuterie for $75/person (appointment only) and an “ultimate” private tasting for $95/person. We enjoyed a few wines we had never tasted before and ended up bringing a case of wine home. I highly recommend their wine tasting.